Commercial Pilot salary in Ohio
Commercial Pilots in Ohio earn a median of $150,330 a year, based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $219,140 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $123,220. Ohio ranks 6th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.48 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $145,490, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial pilots in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,300 |
| 25th percentile | $82,440 |
| Median | $150,330 |
| 75th percentile | $211,620 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $219,140 |
| Average (mean) | $145,490 |
Half of commercial pilots earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,527.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,263.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,781.92 |
| Weekly | $2,890.96 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because commercial pilots are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Commercial Pilot salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $175,690 | 1,410 |
| Cleveland, OH | $166,520 | 600 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,230 | 190 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $120,910 | 70 |
| Akron, OH | $84,170 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $61,080 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 |
| New York | $177,430 |
| California | $165,590 |
| Delaware | $163,600 |
| Ohio | $150,330 |
| Georgia | $145,100 |
| Colorado | $139,680 |
| Texas | $137,960 |
| Vermont | $137,810 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $204,170 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $62,440 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,860 | $22.05 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial pilot make in Ohio?
The median salary for commercial pilots in Ohio is $150,330 a year. Pay ranges from $60,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $219,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in Ohio?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in Ohio earn at least $219,140 a year. The top 25% earn $211,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,300 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $82,440 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in Ohio?
About 2,680 commercial pilots are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.